Home Theater Projectors

When it comes to choosing a Home Theater Projector, we at Projector Reviews get to review more home theater projectors than just about anyone on the planet. We’ve reviewed hundreds over the last 15 years. We’re getting pretty good at helping you figure out which is the best home theater projector for your specific needs, and the lighting in your room.

Our reviews are in-depth. In addition we have created videos of many of the best home theater projectors, that you can find here on the Projector Reviews TV tab.

Our reviews and videos cover home theater, and home entertainment projectors from a few hundred dollars up to almost $30,000, but we focus primarily from $500 to $10,000 projectors.

Passive 3D Projection – Part 9

June 29, 2012 -

This post is Part 9 in a the series of blogs discussing do-it-yourself (diy) passive 3D projection systems that use two conventional front projectors.Â This new blog continues the discussion on the use of dual projection system that use color bandpass filtering (i.e.,Â âwavelength multiplexingâ), instead of polarization, as the means to separate the right from the left images.Â In simply terms, wavelength multiplexing, uses two projectors equipped with filters that pass only very narrow bands of colors within the visible spectrum with one of the filters passing a set of colors that is slightly offset from the set of colors passed by the filter being used on the second projector.Â The viewers then must wear passive 3D glasses whose lenses are filters that pass narrow bands of the visible spectrum that matches those being used on the two projectors.

Passive 3D Projection – Part 8

June 8, 2012 -

This post continues the series of blogs discussing do-it-yourself (diy) passive 3D projection systems that use two conventional front projectors.Â In my previous blogs of this series the discussion has focused on passive 3D projection system that use polarized light as the means to separate the right from the left images that make up the stereoscopic image pair that creates the 3D effect.Â This new blog starts the discussion on the use of dual projector system that uses color bandpass filtering (i.e.,Â âwavelength multiplexingâ), instead of polarization, as the means to separate the right from the left images.Â In simply terms, wavelength multiplexing, uses two projectors equipped with filters that pass only very narrow bands of colors within the visible spectrum with one of the filters passing a set of colors that is slightly offset in wavelength from the set of colors passed by the filter being used on the second projector.Â The viewers then must wear passive 3D glasses whose lenses are filters that pass narrow bands of the visible spectrum that matches those being used on the two projectors.

Passive 3D Projection – Part 7

May 21, 2012 -

This post continues the series of blogs discussing do-it-yourself (diy) passive 3D projection systems that use two conventional front projectors.Â In my previous blog (i.e., Part 6 of this series), I completed (at least for the time being) the discussion on projectors suitable for use as part of a passive 3D projection system that uses polarized light as the means to separate the right from the left images that make up the stereoscopic image pair that creates the 3D effect.Â This new blog wraps up the current discussion on passive 3D projection systems that use polarized light.

Passive 3D Projection – Part 6

April 30, 2012 -

This blog post continues the discussion of do-it-yourself (diy) passive 3D projection systems that use two conventional front projectors.Â In my previous blog (i.e., Part 5 of this series), I discussed using projectors that inherently project polarized light as well as the role of external filters needed for use with such projectors.Â For this new blog, I will address one comment received to that previous blog as well as continue the discussion on passive 3D projection systems that uses polarization as the means to separate the right from the left images that make up the stereoscopic image pair that creates the 3D effect.

Passive 3D Projection – Part 5

April 19, 2012 -

This is Part 5 of a series of blogs discussing passive 3D projection systems.

For these blogs I am focused on passive 3D systems that use polarization as the means to separate the right from the left images.Â Previously I discussed (in Part 3 â HERE) the role of the 3D Source, the 2-way HDMI Splitter and the 3D Processors.Â In my most recent blog (Part 4 â HERE) I discussed the different types of polarization, sources for polarizing filters, and projectors with non-polarized light output. Also in these earlier blogs I discussed some general characteristics to consider when selecting the projectors to be use for a do-it-yourself (diy), dual projector passive 3D setup.Â For this 5th installment of this series, I am discussing the use of projectors that inherently project polarized light and how these can be used in a diy 3D passive linear polarized dual projector system.

Passive 3D Projection – Part 4

March 30, 2012 -

This is Part 4 of a series of blogs discussing passive 3D projection systems.

The current discussion is focused on passive 3D systems that use polarization as the means to separate the right from the left images.Â Previously I discussed (in Part 3 â HERE) the role of the 3D Source, the 2-way HDMI Splitter and the 3D Processors.Â Also in that earlier blog I discussed some general characteristics to consider when selecting the projectors to be used for a do-it-yourself (diy), dual projector passive 3D setup.Â For this part of the series I continue the discussion by providing specific details for making the selection of a suitable pair of projectors.

Passive 3D Projection – Part 3

March 20, 2012 -

This blog is a continuation of my previous discussion on passive 3D projection (HERE).Â Â Specifically, this blog is focused on do-it-yourself (DIY) dual projector passive 3D projection systems using polarization as the technique to separate the right from the left images.Â Future blogs will discuss DIY 3D passive dual projector systems using other technologies.

Passive 3D Projection – Part 2

February 23, 2012 -

This blog is part 2 of a series on passive 3D projection.Â Part 1 was posted HERE.Â In this new blog I begin with a discussion of passive 3D projection systems for a home theater that is not specific to either of the alternative passive technologies for 3D (see my previous Blog for a discussion these alternative technologies).Â After this initial discussion I move on to more specifics on using polarization as the means to separate the right and left image pairs that make up the stereoscopic (i.e., 3D) image.

Passive 3D Projection – Part 1

February 6, 2012 -

This Blog starts a discussion on passive 3D projection systems.Â I expect this discussion will continue over several future blogs.Â For this initial blog I present some of the fundamentals of passive 3D projection.Â This is intended to prepare the reader for more in-depth discussions of the alternative technologies and descriptions of do-it-yourself (i.e., DIY) dual projector passive 3D projection setups.

More 3D Crosstalk Testing – JVC and Epson

January 15, 2012 -

This Blog is a follow-up to my two earlier blogs ofÂ December 14th and December 19th on 3D crosstalk (i.e., 3D ghosting).Â In the second of those previous blogs I presented some results for 3D crosstalk measurements taken for my own JVC DLA-RS40 projector.Â I have now taken one critical additional measurement for that projector plus also present results from my testing of an Epson Home Cinema 5010 projector.Â This is physically the same Epson projector Art used for his review HERE at Projector Reviews.Â I have done a visual comparison of the 3D crosstalk levels using full resolution 1080p 3D material (input to the projector at 24Hz using the Blu-ray 3D standard frame packing signal format) and also half resolution 3D programming via DirecTV (provided from my DirecTV HD-DVR in 1080i/60 3D side-by-side format).Â Â For my 3D crosstalk measurements I used a Blu-ray 3D test disc which I have created (i.e., in full resolution 1080p at 24Hz in the frame packing format, as per the Blu-ray 3D standard).

CES 2012 Preview

January 10, 2012 -

This blog offers a preview of some products being introduced at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) being held this week (Jan. 10-13) in Las Vegas.Â The products discussed below are limited to only those that have been announced in advance of the Tuesday (Jan. 10th) start of the show.Â While CES traditionally is not the primary trade show for the introduction of new home theater oriented projectors (CEDIA in the USA and IFA in Europe are where most manufacturers introduce new home theater projectors), it is the premier trade show for the introduction of most other consumer electronics products.Â This includes new flat panel HDTVs, Audio/Video Receiver, Speakers, etc., as well at computers, networks, smart phones, automotive electronics, and many electronic gadgets.Â Art (from Projector Reviews) is attending the CES and will be reporting via Podcast (Info HERE and the Podcast site it HERE) on projector related (home theater or business) products being introduced at the show.

3D Crosstalk/Ghosting – PART 2 and Silver Screens

December 19, 2011 -

This blog is a continuation of my previous blog (HERE) of December 14, 2011 on â3D Crosstalk/Ghosting â Part 1â and also is a follow-up to my earlier blogs discussing screens for 3D projection (i.e., blogs from August 19th,Â August 31st, and December 1st.Â Â Â For the continuing discussion from my most recent blog on 3D Crosstalk, I have now completed measurements of the 3D crosstalk level from my JVC DLA-RS40 projector and for the further discussion on screens for 3D projection I have taken a quick look at sample âsilver screenâ materials from both Stewart and Da-lite that are being marketed for use with passive 3D projection systems, that use polarization for their 3D separation, as well as suitable to 2D projection.

3D Crosstalk/Ghosting – PART 1

December 14, 2011 -

For this Blog (and the next) I will focus on the subject of 3D crosstalk, or frequently called 3D ghosting.Â This undesired effect occurs when portions of the image intended to be seen by one eye become visible to the other eye.Â This âleakageâ of information between the right and left visual channels may occur with virtually any 3D display technology, but certain display/projection technologies are more prone to have a level of 3D crosstalk that rises to the point of being objectionable for most viewers.Â For this initial blog (i.e., Part 1) on the subject of 3D crosstalk, I will discuss the principle sources for 3D crosstalk for both active 3D and passive 3D projection system and in Part 2 (i.e., my next blog) I will provide, as an example, results from testing 3D crosstalk on my own JVC DLA-RS40 projector.

First Take on Stewart “Reflections Active 170″ Screen

December 1, 2011 -

For this blog I will be discussing a new front projection screen material being marketed specifically for use with 3D projectors.Â I will taking a look at the new Stewart Filmscreen Relections Active 170TM screen material with a rated gain of 1.7.Â Screens using this material are being sold for use with 3D projectors that use active shutter 3D glasses.Â Stewart also offers a screen material called 5D (more on that in a future blog) that is marketed for use with passive 3D projection systems.Â Â This blog reports on testing of sample of the screen material (actually a less than 1 square foot sample and not an entire screen).Â For reference a sample of Stewartâs well regarded StudioTek 100TM screen material (gain 1.0) was used.

This blog provides some additional information on the upcoming BenQ W7000 DLP 3D projector, as a follow-up to my previous blog on DLP projectors (HERE).Â This blog also discusses the characteristics and importance a projectorâs zoom ratio, throw ratio and lens shift adjustment.Â Â The upcoming BenQ W7000 looks particularly interesting in that it has an especially wide range (for a DLP projector) lens shift adjustment as well as 1.5x zoom ratio combined with a relatively high power 300 watt lamp.Â

LCD 3D Projection Technology

November 4, 2011 -

This blog discusses the use of Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) projection technology for 3D.Â Â This is the oldest of the micro-display technologies with the basic idea dating back to 1968 with the first commercial projectors appearing about 2 decades ago.Â However, it has only been about a decade since micro-display projectors started to gain a solid market position against the long dominate CRT based projectors for video/home theater applications.

DLP 3D Projection Technology – Part 2

October 18, 2011 -

This blog continues the discussion of DLP 3D projection technology.Â In my previous blog I provided a brief history of DLP projectors and an overview of the DLP technology.Â This 2nd blog on the subject continues with a summary of the current and soon-to-be-released DLP 3D projectors. Â I also provide some preliminary news about a upcoming 3D projector using a laser light engine.

Getting it Bright Enough

September 24, 2011 -

This blog is the follow-up to my earlier blog from before the CEDIA show.Â That earlier blog was from August 31 and was titled âScreens for 3D Projection â Part 2â.Â This new blog will be my wrap up, for now, on projection screens for 3D, but Iâm certain there will addition future blogs that will cover the topic of screens.